Although many people make an effort to keep their home PC secure, they often don’t take the same precautions with their phones. Your smartphone is essentially a mini PC, so a lot of the same security measures apply. For instance, be wary of opening attachments if you’re not absolutely sure who sent an email. PDFs are particularly popular for transmitting malicious content.

Your smartphone is essentially a mini PC, so a lot of the same security measures apply.

You should be especially careful about sharing sensitive information when using unencrypted, public Wi-Fi systems. And definitely consider locking your phone with a password, especially if you’re the type to leave your phone lying around unattended.

If you want to take the security of your smartphone to the next level, invest in a security and antivirus app. But make sure it’s a trusted program, such as Lookout Mobile Security or Kaspersky Mobile Security. A new wrinkle in online security threats is “scareware,” programs that look like real antivirus software but are actually designed to steal your information.

Also be wary of apps or websites that can track your location. Whether it involves location-based software or simply a Facebook post while you’re on a trip, thieves have taken advantage of this information to target homes when the owners are away. When you download an app, it may ask for your permission to access your location or stored contacts. If you can’t think of an obvious reason why that app would require that information, think twice about using it.